Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-12-24

Government Control of the Telegraph.
T. Y. Powderly. in Journal OF United
Labor (K. Of LIZ: 1t is argued that the
government should purchase existing
lines and operate them. This, it is said,
will be 9 much better plan. / do not
oppose that idea, but would lar rather
see Uncle Sam set up shop for himself
and compete with the other fellow. The
United States government must not pur-
chase the stock of o concern that is load
ed down 30 heavily with water. The
water should first be drained off and the
real value alone be made the basis Of the
sale. If it is found to be desirable to
purchase the stock OF the Western Union
the same method should be resorted to
as in the case of an individual through
whose plot Of ground q railroad is to be
run. 1t the citizen will not sell for the
pnblic good, his land can be taken from
him under the right OF eminent domain.
IL he will sell and demand q higher price
for his property than it ia worth, viewers
are appointed and the place is appraised
ct its real value, The individual in CUES.
ton may set great store by his property;
it may be that it YVES ~beq1eathed to him
fby father or grandfather: it may be an
heirloom iii the family; bat zone OF
these considerations will cause the
viewers to set q higher price on the pro-
perty than that which they believe il to
be worth. No sentiment will be allowed
to iDtrude itself III the matter. and what
is true of sentiment nnst also be true of
watered stock, in case the Western Union
is bonght ont by the government. II it
pleRHes gamblers in the necessities of
life to create a stir in the food market
by t~elegraphing from Chicago to New
York that the price of corn, -four, beef
or pork has advanced, they have every
facility at hand to-day to carry ont their
dasign. The Mlesss.l Union :sv Ii
company is itself &C closely allied to tbs
institutions which make bread deer that
it requires no stretch, of conscience on the
part of its owners or officers to flash false
statements over the wires for the benefit
OF other men who are engaged In q SINH
lar scheme of stock-rsising. Ii a trouble
of any kind exists between an employer
and his employees and it becomes neces-
sary to create puolic opinion for the
employers side of the argument the
wires OF the present system of t~elegraphy
will be found to answer the purpose adj
mirsbIy. Every item of news that will
initiate against the interest of the
masses end operate : TO the welfare Of
monopoly is wired through from one
end of the country to the other, while
shat which would not be SO favorable to
monopoly is suppressed. The people oil
the UEited States can in one day be
flseced of enough money TO establish and
fully eqeip a first GLASS line of telegraph
through the operations OF stock gamblers
OF organizers IN the requirements of every
day existence, end they are aided in the
work by an institution which is, in itself
q menace to the welfare of the masses.
Correct news, prompt service, cheap
rates, and loyalty to the interests of the
people will characterize the workings Of
q system OF telegrsphy of which the
government has control. Our members
in aiding in the work OF establishing
3shis system will be fnrthering the legl-
innate work of knighthood in accordance
with the eighteenth section of the dec
laration of principles OF the order OF the
knights OF labor.